FSU hosts rattled Bulls for first time

College Gridiron 365 - 'Noles Beat

September 21, 2009|By Andrew Carter, Sentinel Staff Writer

FSU at a glance

* LET'S LOOK AHEAD: Florida State will host USF in the first meeting between the Seminoles and the Bulls. The 'Noles enter with plenty of momentum. They are coming off their best all-around performance of the season with a victory against BYU. USF enters 3-0, but the Bulls are reeling with QB Matt Grothe out for the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL during their romp against Charleston Southern. On top of that, the Bulls have yet to be tested at all this season.

* LET'S REVIEW: Guess that ho-hum victory against Division I-AA Jacksonville State really was an aberration. A week after FSU struggled to beat Jax State, the Seminoles pounded BYU 54-28. The Cougars had been ranked No. 7. The positives for FSU were many: The offensive line played its best game of the season and opened holes for the running game, which compiled 313 yards. QB Christian Ponder continued to pass well and completed 21-of -26 passes -- and could have had a better percentage were it not for a couple of drops. And the Seminoles' defense, especially in the second half, played well and forced four turnovers. The victory against BYU was FSU's most lopsided in school history on the road against a top-10 opponent.

* INJURY UPDATE: FSU suffered no significant injuries against BYU.

* THEY SAID IT: "I think we're taking the next step. And we're getting closer to where we want to be as a team." -- QB Christian Ponder